Five of EPIC’s pre-doctoral fellows will be departing for new academic opportunities this fall. For the past two years, the fellows have worked closely with EPIC faculty and staff to produce valuable research and develop new skills.
EPIC’s highly competitive pre-doctoral fellowship provides young researchers who have completed their bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a full-time work environment under the guidance of EPIC-affiliated faculty and researchers. This year’s departing class—including Miriam Gold, Linnea Holy, Zhenyu Shen, Noah Sobel-Lewin, and Sariya Stowers—will continue on to pursue advanced degrees in economics at leading universities across the country this fall.
Miriam Gold
Faculty Supervisor: Eyal Frank
Miriam Gold worked with Harris School of Public Policy Assistant Professor Eyal Frank studying the impact of locust plagues on child development, the efficacy of fishery management laws, and agricultural damages caused by invasive moths. The position also allowed her to produce original research on the impact of beaver colonization on agricultural land use.
In the fall, she will be pursuing a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley.
“Working at EPIC gave me the opportunity to learn from professors and peers who care about the changing environment. Their rigor continually pushed me to do better, more responsible work. Eyal’s patient mentorship, my colleagues’ support, and the EPIC team’s tireless work made this a formative, cherished step in my academic career.”
Linnea Holy
Faculty Supervisor: Koichiro Ito
Linnea Holy worked with Koichiro Ito to primarily study renewable energy in Chile. This work focused on the broader economic impacts of a green transition, in order to develop an understanding of how this is unfolding in Chile and to inform future transitions elsewhere. Other projects included an analysis of Chile’s electricity blackout in February 2025 and the impact of Japan’s fuel economy policy on international car markets.
In the fall, Holy will be pursuing a PhD in Economics at Northwestern University.
“The pre-doctoral program at EPIC gave me the preparation I needed to begin a PhD program in economics. The research experience, along with the resources of EPIC, BFI and UChicago economics at large, informed my decision. Koichiro was generous with his time and mentorship. He furthered my skills as a researcher, giving me a strong foundation for my future professional life, for which I am grateful.”
Zhenyu Shen
Faculty Supervisor: Shaoda Wang
Zhenyu Shen worked with Shaoda Wang on research projects examining the political economy of judicial institutions and public policy, as well as their design and effectiveness, with a regional focus on China.
In the fall, Shen will be pursuing a PhD in Economics at Princeton University.
“Working at EPIC with Shaoda has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Through participating in several of his projects, I’ve not only sharpened a wide range of technical skills but also developed a deeper understanding of what constitutes high-quality research. Moreover, Shaoda’s passion and vision for economic research have profoundly shaped the kind of scholar I aspire to become.”
Noah Sobel-Lewin
Faculty Supervisor: Michael Greenstone
Noah Sobel-Lewin worked with Michael Greenstone on a project evaluating the world’s first particulate matter emissions market. He also contributed to projects estimating willingness to pay for improved air quality and comparing the costs of electricity generation sources.
In the fall, Sobel-Lewin will be pursuing a PhD in Economics at Yale.
“Working with Michael Greenstone at EPIC has been an invaluable experience. His mentorship has profoundly influenced my growth as a researcher and encouraged me to pursue ambitious questions. Being a part of the EPIC team has been a true privilege, and I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity.”
Sariya Stowers
Faculty Supervisor: Michael Greenstone
Sariya Stowers worked with Michael Greenstone researching the economics of electricity and the environment. One paper Stowers worked on evaluates the impacts of Renewable Portfolio Standards—policies which mandate that a portion of electricity come from renewable sources.
In the fall, Stowers will be pursuing a PhD in Economics at the University of California San Diego with the support of a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship.
“Working with Michael Greenstone has challenged me to become a better researcher, and I think I’ve grown a lot while working in this role. Michael also really values what we have to say, and the EPIC and BFI community is super supportive. Between staff and other RPs, I’ve gotten to know some really amazing people here that I’m hoping to stay connected with even in the future.”
To learn more about the program or apply, visit here.